Frailty models and social frailty

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a reduced ability to maintain homeostasis due to age-related declines in physiological reserves. It increases the risk of adverse health outcomes such as falls, hospitalization, disability, and mortality, especially in older adults. Key risk factors for frailty include cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Several models of frailty exist, including the physical frailty phenotype, the deficit accumulation model, and mixed physical-psychosocial models. Numerous tools are available for assessment. Cognitive dysfunction is closely related to frailty, sharing underlying mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular pathologies. Additionally, social frailty, which can be exacerbated by isolation and limited social support, further complicates the challenges faced by frail individuals. It is recommended that frailty screening, particularly through gait speed assessment, can be conducted in primary healthcare settings. Despite existing guidelines, there is still no consensus on the definition, screening, and diagnosis of frailty. This emphasizes the necessity for additional research to conduct a conceptual diagnosis and screen the older population. Artificial intelligence approaches show promise in identifying frail patients and managing their care.